In June Joseph Thompson, a civilly committed sex offender, filed a 57-page complaint on his own behalf in U.S. District Court alleging that the conditions of his confinement are unconstitutional. Thompson cited strip searches, confiscation of personal property and inadequate medical care as evidence that his confinement at a facility in Moose Lake is illegal.

The recent reapportionment of Minnesota’s congressional districts was a nonevent — sadly. The status quo was ratified by the panel of judges that drew the new boundaries. In the main they are the same as the 2002 districts, only a bit more so.

PORTLAND, Maine — With Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe’s announcement that she won’t seek a fourth term, a number of Maine Republicans and Democrats are considering jumping into the Senate race, setting off a scramble with just two weeks before a deadline to get on the June primary ballot.

State Rep. Kate Knuth has decided to retire from the Legislature after her current term expires. The three-term DFLer from New Brighton was paired with fellow DFL Rep. Tom Tillberry of Fridley in the new redistricting maps that were unveiled last week.